Volunteer Leadership

The Specialty Food Association was created by the members, for the members, and we rely on their input to help guide the association. Volunteer leadership positions offer an opportunity for SFA members to have a direct voice in the development of SFA programs and services and, by extension, to help support the continued growth and success of the specialty food industry.

Each year we issue a call for nominations for volunteer leadership seats. For the 2025-2026 service year, this includes the Board of Directors/Committees and Council roles in alignment with the 2026 SFA Strategic Plan.

Volunteer opportunities are open to employees, partners, or individuals actively involved in the business or management of SFA member companies in good standing. Information about volunteer opportunities for the following year is sent to SFA members in the spring.

Election and Appointment Process for SFA Volunteer Leadership Explained

Nomination/Election Timeline:

  • January-February: Nominations accepted for all volunteer positions.
  • March-May: Review of nominees, including qualifications, past contributions if currently serving, and interviews as necessary for Board openings.
  • June: Voting begins for Board of Directors slate; Results of election and appointment of volunteers announced at Annual Member Meeting.
  • July: New term begins.

SFA Board of Directors

  • Overview: Diverse group of 15 Directors with staggered terms responsible for the overall governance of the SFA as a 501(c)(6) tax-exempt organization.
  • Time Commitment: Estimated 5-10 hours per month including attendance at minimum of four full Board Meetings per year (one to two days each) in addition to other volunteer group participation. 
  • Role and Expectations: Directors serve a three-year term and are expected to act with honesty, integrity, and in the best interests of the SFA to advance its mission. Working collaboratively, directors guide the organization’s mission, strategic vision, and governance. Each director is accountable to the Board, the SFA, and its members.  You can access the SFA Board of Directors Role Descriptions here.
  • Term: Directors are eligible to serve up to two consecutive three-year terms.

SFA Committees

  • Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall have the authority to act on behalf of the Board between regular meetings of the Board. All actions taken by the Executive Committee shall be regularly reported to the Board.
  • Community, Inclusion, and Belonging (CIB) Committee: This committee works to grow and apply the ideals of community, inclusion and belonging for the SFA, walking the talk, through leadership and opportunities that our committee creates. The committee helps apply and assists the association in its growth as the food association evolves for its members.
  • Finance Committee: The Finance committee’s goal is to provide financial oversight that supports the strategic goals of the SFA. The committee will be guided by full financial transparency, industry benchmarking and KPI’s.
  • Nominating Committee: The Nominating Committee role is to identify qualified member candidates who align with the Association’s core values of servant leadership, innovation and integrity; who support the Association’s execution of the Strategic Plan; and who reflect the Association’s commitment to champion diversity in all forms; and actively foster an environment of community, inclusion and belonging within its membership.

SFA Councils

  • Buyers Council: New in 2025, the Buyers Council facilitates engagement with, and input from, the distributors and other retail and food service buyers that engage with SFA member makers, to further member maker preparedness.
  • Fancy Food Show Council: The purpose of the Council is to provide feedback on future Fancy Food Show initiatives and reflection on past show execution.
  • Membership Council: The purpose of the Council is to provide feedback and ideas to SFA Staff, with a particular focus on member benefits and membership strategy, recruitment, and retention.
  • Recognition Council: The purpose of the Council is to provide feedback and recommendations on the framework and enhancements for SFA’s recognition platforms, including the sofi Awards, Leadership Awards, Lifetime Achievement Awards, and Hall of Fame.

Council Structure:

  • Council members are appointed for one-year terms with the option to renew up to three consecutive terms.
  • Council meetings are staff-led and take place virtually at least four times annually.
  • Signed confidentiality form is required.

Election FAQ

  • Where does the slate come from? 

Since 2020, the slate has been recommended by a Nominating Committee, which includes existing SFA Directors and additional, independent SFA members who previously served on the board. This Committee is chartered to recommend a slate of incoming Directors for approval by the full Board, which is then presented to the Membership for a vote to elect.  

The Committee creates each slate based on a process of thoroughly reviewing and discussing the data and responses collected from each candidate’s nomination form. Exceptional candidates advance to an interview round with the Committee, held via video conference; and the slate is determined after additional discussion and debate. The Nominating Committee also appoints Directors to serve on Board Committees.  

  • Who gets to vote? 

Each General Member company can cast one vote.  

Alliance Member companies and SFA staff do not vote in the election.  

  • Can we vote in person at the Summer Fancy Food Show? 

No. All voting is conducted online through a third-party proxy company. For the 2025-2026 service year, voting will begin in Spring 2025.

  • When will the results be announced? 

Results of the Board of Director election is announced at the Annual Member Meeting, including the appointment of the Officers for the next one-year term.   

The 2025 meeting will be held on Zoom on June 26, 2025.

  • I don’t see Board Officers listed on the ballot. How are they elected? 

Officers (the chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer) are appointed by the Board of Directors from the existing directors.

  • I have more questions.  Who can I go to? 

Please send questions to Tressa Kennedy, Director, Member Operations at [email protected]

Guidelines/Bylaws

To review the SFA Bylaws, click here.

We are committed to attracting and retaining employees, volunteers, third-party partners, and members that reflect diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives in order to best serve the diversified profile of makers, buyers, distributors, and service providers in the food and beverage industry.

We strive to create a culture of inclusion and belonging where all of these individuals feel valued, respected, and have the opportunity to thrive.

Questions? Please reach out to your SFA Member Representative.



Submit Your Nomination